Authenticating devices for communications

ABSTRACT

A controller for a communications device having a memory storing data specifying user instructions; and a communications controller arranged for receiving a request of a preformed format for the data from a second device and in response to the request transmitting the data to the second device. The user instructions are arranged for use by a user on the first device to authenticate the second device with the first device.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to authenticating one user device withanother device for communications, particularly for wirelesscommunications.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

An increasing number of devices are incorporating wireless radiocommunications systems, such as a short range wireless system calledBluetooth. Examples of these devices include wireless headsets, mobilephones, laptop computers, wireless mice and PDAs.

One advantage of wireless communication systems is the ability toconnect a first user device to a second interdependent device, such asconnecting a headset to a handset for a telecommunications system. Toensure the first user device can communicate with the secondinterdependent device without interception it is desirable to establisha secure communications connection.

The secure connection of two devices using Bluetooth is called pairing.Each device in a pair automatically accepts communication from the otherdevice, bypassing the discovery and authentication process.

Existing methods for pairing devices can be complex. Often the userforgets exactly how to pair the two devices. This results in supportcalls to the retailer and/or manufacturer. This is an undesirablesituation for both the user and the retailer/manufacturer.

Instead of calling for support the user can also read the device manualor access an online database. However, manuals are frequently lost ornot readily available, and in relation to online databases, the user maynot have ready access to the internet at the time of pairing and usersmay become frustrated if they are forced to search for pairinginstructions online whenever they wish to pair devices.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for theauthentication of user devices which is easy to use and overcomes thedisadvantages of above methods, or to at least provide a usefulalternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided acontroller for a communications device comprising:

a memory storing data specifying user instructions; and

a communications controller arranged for receiving a request of apreformed format for the data from a second device and in response tothe request transmitting the data to the second device;

wherein the user instructions are arranged for use by a user on thefirst device to authenticate the second device with the first device.

The first device may communicate with the second device over a wirelesschannel.

The data may be a code corresponding to user instructions within anexternally stored database. The database may be stored on the seconddevice. Alternatively, the database may be accessible over the internet.

Preferably, the controller includes an RF transceiver arranged forreceiving the request and transmitting the data for the communicationscontroller.

The communications controller may be arranged for receiving the requestonly when the first device is placed into a receptive mode.

The data may be text of the user instructions.

The user instructions may be arranged for use by the user to apply theinstructions on the first device through a keypad.

It is preferred that the data is arranged for the second device togenerate the user instructions from the data. The data may be arrangedfor the second device to generate the user instructions by convertingthe data into an audio sample of the user instructions. The data may bearranged for the second device to generate the user instructions bycombining the data with additional data.

The user instructions may be arranged for use by a user on the firstdevice to authenticate the second device with the first device forcommunications and/or cooperation.

The user instructions may be are arranged for use by a user on the firstdevice to authenticate the second device with the first device forwireless communications. The wireless communications may be RFcommunications. The RF communications may be Bluetooth communications.

The user instructions may be arranged for use by the user on both thefirst and second devices.

The first device may be arranged to transmit the data automatically inresponse to the request.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided acontroller for a communications device comprising:

a communications controller arranged for transmitting a preformedrequest for data specifying user instructions and for receiving the datatransmitted from a second device in response to the request;

a processor arranged for generating the user instructions from thereceived data; and

a user output device arranged for outputting the generated userinstructions;

wherein the user instructions are arranged for use by a user on thesecond device to authenticate the first device with the second device.

The first device may communicate with the second device over a wirelesschannel.

The data may be a code corresponding to user instructions within anexternally stored database. The database may be stored on the firstdevice. Alternatively, the database may be accessible over the internet.

The processor may be arranged to generate the user instructions bycorrelating the code with the user instructions stored within thedatabase.

The controller may include an RF transceiver arranged for transmittingthe request and receiving the data for the communications controller.

The data may be text of the user instructions.

The user instructions may be arranged for use by the user to apply theinstructions on the second device through a keypad.

The processor may be arranged for generating the user instructions byconverting the data into an audio sample of the user instructions.

The data may be arranged for the second device to generate the userinstructions by combining the data with additional data.

The first and second devices may be authenticated for communicationsand/or cooperation.

The first device and second device may be authenticated for wirelesscommunications. The first device and second device may be authenticatedfor RF communications. The first device and second device may beauthenticated for Bluetooth communications.

The user instructions may be arranged for use by the user on both thefirst and second devices.

The user output device may be a speaker. The user output device may be avisual display.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided acommunications system comprising:

a first and second device;

a first controller for the first device which stores data specifyinguser instructions for authenticating the second device with the firstdevice, the first controller arranged for receiving a preformed requestfor the data from the second device, and in response to the requesttransmitting the data to the second device; and

a second controller for the second device arranged for requesting thedata from the first device, receiving the data from the first device,processing the data to generate user instructions for authenticating thefirst device with the second device, and outputting the userinstructions to a user;

wherein the user instructions are arranged for use by a user on thefirst device.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided amethod for authenticating a first device with a second device forcommunications, comprising the steps of:

requesting data relating to user instructions for authenticating thesecond device with the first device from the first device;

transmitting the data to the second device;

generating user instructions from the received data;

outputting the user instructions using a user interface; and

authenticating the first device and second device by applying the userinstructions on the first device.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided acontroller for a communications device comprising:

a memory storing data specifying user instructions; and

a communications controller arranged for transmitting the dataperiodically;

wherein the user instructions are arranged for use by a user on thefirst device to authenticate the second device with the first device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1: shows a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of theinvention in use.

FIG. 2: shows a flow diagram in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a method for authenticating a firstdevice with a second device for wireless communications. The firstdevice stores data that defines a set of instructions that can beinterpreted by a user and which define a set of steps for establishing apaired connection between the devices. When it is desired to establish apaired connection, the first device transmits those instructions to thesecond device and the second device plays the instructions by means ofits user interface (e.g. by audio or visual means) to a user. The usercan then follow the instructions in order to connect the devices to eachother. In effect the first device is acting as a server to the seconddevice as a client to provide the second device with informationrequired to pair the second device with the first device.

The invention will now be described with reference to the pairing of twoBluetooth devices. However, it will be appreciated that, with minormodification, the method can be used for the authentication of anydevices for inter-device communication or co-operation.

FIG. 1 shows a first device 1 with an RF (radio frequency) transceiver2. The device 1 includes a memory 3. The first device 1 includes aprocessor 4 connected to the memory 3 and the RF transceiver 2. Thefirst device 1 also includes a user interface 5 connected to theprocessor 4.

A second device 6 is also shown which includes an RF transceiver 7connected to a processor 8. The second device 6 also includes a useroutput device 9, such as a speaker or a display. The processor 8 isconnected to the user output device 9.

It will be appreciated that the components of the first and/or seconddevice noted above may be embodied within a communications controllerfor a device. It will further be appreciated that the processors 4 and 8may be considered as communications controllers singly in combinationwith the transceiver.

In this example, the first device 1 is a mobile handset and the seconddevice 6 is a headset. The user output device 9 of the second device 6is the earpiece of the headset. However, it will be appreciated that theuser output device 9 could be any user output device such as a visualdisplay.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described.

The memory 3 of the first device 1 stores data related to userinstructions.

The instructions provide a step-by-step method for a user to pair anysecond device with the first device 1. The data could be stored as textof those instructions.

Alternatively, the data could be stored as a list of codes—each codecorresponding to an instruction step towards pairing the devices, withthe text or other user-intelligible data defining those steps beingstored in memory of the second device. Instead of the instructions beingstored in a text format they could be stored in other ways, for exampleas an audio or video sample of the instructions for pairing.

The processor 4 of the first device 1 is configured for extracting thedata from the memory 3 and transmitting it to the second device 6 usingthe RF transceiver 2 of the first device 1.

The user interface 5 of the first device 1 is configured to receiveinput from a user 10 following the instructions to initiate and/orcomplete the authentication procedure.

The processor 8 of the second device 6 is configured for requesting datarelating to user instructions from the first device 1 and for convertingthe data received in response into a form suitable for output to a userthrough the user output device 9.

To pair the two devices 1 and 6 the user 10 first ensures that the firstdevice 1 is placed into a mode such that it is receptive to requestsfrom other devices to pair with it. For example, in relation toBluetooth devices, the device will be placed into inquiry scan mode. Thedevice may enter this mode by default.

When the second device 6 is switched on, or otherwise activated, itconnects to a nearby device (in this example the first device) andtransmits to this device a request for data relating to userinstructions of how to pair a device with this device. The request is inthe form of a message. For compatibility reasons, this message ispreferably of a standard format in order that a wide range of devicesmay be able to recognise the message.

In response to the message, the first device 1 automatically transmitsthe data defining the steps that it has stored in memory 3 to the seconddevice 6.

The second device 6 receives the data and uses the processor 8 togenerate user instructions for output through the user output device 9.For example, if the data is text and the output device 9 is a speaker,the processor 8 uses a text-to-speech engine which converts the textinto an audio sample played 11 to the user 10 through the speaker 9.Alternatively, if the output device is a visual display, the processor 8can convert the text for display on the visual display.

It will be appreciated that the processor 8 may utilise additionalinformation stored on the second device 6 to convert the data into userinstructions for output, such as partial audio samples for compositingan audio sample from the text or a database of user instruction stepscorresponding to a list of codes transmitted by the first device 1. Ifthe data is a set of codes that correspond to instructional steps thenthe processor 8 retrieves the instructional steps indicated by the codesfrom its local memory and replays them to the user in an appropriateway.

In one embodiment the processor 8 generates the user instructions fromthe data received from the first device and information stored on thesecond device. In this embodiment the information stored on the seconddevice relates to user instructions which are to be applied on thesecond device.

The user instructions are thus outputted by the user output device (inthis example the speaker).

The user follows the instructions to initiate and/or complete thepairing process between the two devices by applying the instructions ona user interface, such as a keypad or a keypad and visual display, onthe first device. Where the user instructions include steps forapplication on the second device, the second device may include a userinterface. The instructions can include steps such as which buttons topress on the keypad(s) of the devices, or which option(s) to choose asdisplayed on a visual display.

In an alternative embodiment the data stored on the first device is areference code for that type of device which correlates to a set of userinstructions for pairing that device with other devices within anexternally stored database. The second device uses the reference code itreceives from the first device to query the external database toretrieve the appropriate pairing instructions. The external databasecould be remote from the devices. It could be accessed by the seconddevice over a network such as the internet.

The two devices conveniently communicate with each other over a wirelesscation channel 12.

The communication of instructional data could be initiated in other waysthan that described above. For example, the communication could beinitiated by the user activating the first device in such a way that itis capable of pairing with other devices. On entering that state thedevice could repeatedly communicate the instructional data automaticallyfor a period of time, in order that it can be received by the seconddevice.

The instructional data could include a code to which the first device isresponsive to permit another device to pair with it. In this situation,the code could then be communicated to the user when the instructionsare presented, the user could enter the code into the second device, andthe second device could then transmit that code to the first device whencommunicating with it to perform the operation of pairing.

The first device could store instructions in a number of languages. Ifthe transmission of the instruction data is performed in response to amessage from the second device, that message could include data thatidentifies a language for which the user interface of that device iscurrently set, and in dependence on that information the first devicecould transmit the appropriate set of instruction data to the seconddevice.

The full set of steps required to pair the devices could be dependent onthe nature of both devices. To provide the user with a full set ofinstructions the second device could combine the instructions defined bythe data it receives from the first device with instructions it storeslocally (or with further instructions that it downloads from a remotelocation) defining steps that are dependent on the nature of the seconddevice so as to provide the user with a set of instructions that coversall the steps needed to perform the pairing.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference toFIG. 2.

In step 20, pairing instruction data is requested from a first wirelessdevice by a second wireless device.

In step 21, the pairing instruction data is transmitted by the firstwireless device.

In step 22, user instructions are generated from the pairing instructiondata.

In step 23, the user instructions are outputted via a user interfacefrom the second wireless device.

In step 24, the user instructions are applied by a user on the firstwireless device pair or begin pairing the first wireless device with thesecond wireless device.

Taking as an example the situation where the first device is a mobilephone and the second device is a wireless headset, the steps that areperformed could be as follows:

-   -   1. User presses button on mobile phone to put it into inquiry        scan mode.    -   2. User activates the wireless headset by pressing a pairing        button.    -   3. The wireless headset transmits message by radio to elicit        instructional information from nearby devices.    -   4. Mobile phone receives message and returns by radio the        pairing instruction data that it stores to the headset in a text        format.    -   5. Headset converts the instructions from text to speech and        plays to the user, using the headset speakers, step by step        instructions on how the user can perform the pairing operation.

One potential advantage of embodiments of the present invention is thatthe user of a communications device can authenticate it with any othersuitable communications device without requiring another resource, suchas being forced to contact the retailer/manufacturer, access an onlinedatabase or read the manual. This is particularly advantageous when thefirst device has no user output means (e.g. a display or speaker) itselfthat can communicate instructions to a user, since such a device has nomeans of directly providing a user with information on how to pair withit. Of course, some such devices may have individual LEDs (lightemitting diodes) or the like for signalling status information, butthose are not capable of communicating instructions.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description ofthe embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been describedin considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details representative apparatusand method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly,departures may be made from such details without departure from thespirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

1. A controller for a communications device, comprising: a memorystoring data specifying user instructions; and a communicationscontroller arranged for receiving a request of a preformed format forthe data from a second device and in response to the requesttransmitting the data to the second device; wherein the userinstructions are arranged for use by a user on the first device toauthenticate the second device with the first device.
 2. A controller asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the first device communicates with the seconddevice over a wireless channel.
 3. A controller as claimed in claim 1wherein the data is a code corresponding to user instructions within anexternally stored database.
 4. A controller as claimed in claim 3wherein the database is stored on the second device.
 5. A controller asclaimed in claim 3 wherein the database is accessible over the internet.6. A controller as claimed in claim 1 including an RF transceiverarranged for receiving the request and transmitting the data for thecommunications controller.
 7. A controller as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe communications controller is arranged for receiving the request onlywhen the first device is placed into a receptive mode.
 8. A controlleras claimed in claim 1 wherein the data is text of the user instructions.9. A controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein the user instructions arearranged for use by the user to apply the instructions on the firstdevice through a keypad.
 10. A controller as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe data is arranged for the second device to generate the userinstructions from the data.
 11. A controller as claimed in claim 1wherein the data is arranged for the second device to generate the userinstructions by converting the data into an audio sample of the userinstructions.
 12. A controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein the data isarranged for the second device to generate the user instructions bycombining the data with additional data.
 13. A controller as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the user instructions are arranged for use by a user onthe first device to authenticate the second device with the first devicefor communications and/or cooperation.
 14. A controller as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the user instructions are arranged for use by a user onthe first device to authenticate the second device with the first devicefor wireless communications.
 15. A controller as claimed in claim 14wherein the wireless communications are RF communications.
 16. Acontroller as claimed in claim 15 wherein the RF communications areBluetooth communications.
 17. A controller as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe user instructions are arranged for use by the user on both the firstand second devices.
 18. A controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein thefirst device is arranged to transmit the data automatically in responseto the request.
 19. A controller for a communications device,comprising: a communications controller arranged for transmitting apreformed request for data specifying user instructions and forreceiving the data transmitted from a second device in response to therequest; a processor arranged for generating the user instructions fromthe received data; and a user output device arranged for outputting thegenerated user instructions; wherein the user instructions are arrangedfor use by a user on the second device to authenticate the first devicewith the second device.
 20. A controller as claimed in claim 19 whereinthe first device communicates with the second device over a wirelesschannel.
 21. A controller as claimed in claim 19 wherein the data is acode corresponding to user instructions within an externally storeddatabase.
 22. A controller as claimed in claim 21 wherein the databaseis stored on the first device.
 23. A controller as claimed in claim 21wherein the database is accessible over the internet.
 24. A controlleras claimed in claim 21 wherein the processor is arranged to generate theuser instructions by correlating the code with the user instructionsstored within the database.
 25. A controller as claimed in claim 19including an RF transceiver arranged for transmitting the request andreceiving the data for the communications controller.
 26. A controlleras claimed in claim 19 wherein the data is text of the userinstructions.
 27. A controller as claimed in claim 19 wherein the userinstructions are arranged for use by the user to apply the instructionson the second device through a keypad.
 28. A controller as claimed inclaim 19 wherein the processor is arranged for generating the userinstructions by converting the data into an audio sample of the userinstructions.
 29. A controller as claimed in claim 19 wherein the datais arranged for the second device to generate the user instructions bycombining the data with additional data.
 30. A controller as claimed inclaim 19 wherein the first and second devices are authenticated forcommunications and/or cooperation.
 31. A controller as claimed in claim19 wherein the first device and second device are authenticated forwireless communications.
 32. A controller as claimed in claim 19 whereinthe first device and second device are authenticated for RFcommunications.
 33. A controller as claimed in claim 19 wherein thefirst device and second device are authenticated for Bluetoothcommunications.
 34. A controller as claimed in claim 19 wherein the userinstructions are arranged for use by the user on both the first andsecond devices.
 35. A controller as claimed in claim 19 wherein the useroutput device is a speaker.
 36. A controller as claimed in claim 19wherein the user output device is a visual display.
 37. A communicationssystem comprising: a first and second device; a first controller for thefirst device which stores data specifying user instructions forauthenticating the second device with the first device, the firstcontroller arranged for receiving a preformed request for the data fromthe second device, and in response to the request transmitting the datato the second device; and a second controller for the second devicearranged for requesting the data from the first device, receiving thedata from the first device, processing the data to generate userinstructions for authenticating the first device with the second device,and outputting the user instructions to a user; wherein the userinstructions are arranged for use by a user on the first device.
 38. Amethod for authenticating a first device with a second device forcommunications, comprising the steps of: i) requesting data relating touser instructions for authenticating the second device with the firstdevice from the first device; ii) transmitting the data to the seconddevice; iii) generating user instructions from the received data; iv)outputting the user instructions using a user interface; and v)authenticating the first device and second device by applying the userinstructions on the first device.
 39. A controller for a communicationsdevice, comprising: a memory storing data specifying user instructions;and a communications controller arranged for transmitting the dataperiodically; wherein the user instructions are arranged for use by auser on the first device to authenticate the second device with thefirst device.
 40. A computer program arranged for effecting the methodof claim
 38. 41. Storage media arranged for storing a computer programas claimed in claim 40.